Why Does My Well Pump Keep Tripping the Breaker?

You go to turn on your water only for nothing to come out. Confused, you decide to go check your breaker box, and, sure enough, the circuit breaker on your water pump has tripped. With so many possibilities of what could have happened, it can be hard to determine which one is the culprit. We at Perry’s Pump Repair will go over the five most common reasons your water pump is tripping your breaker and how to fix it. 

5 Reasons Your Water Pump Is Tripping Your Circuit Breaker

Overloaded Circuit

This is one of the leading causes your submersible water pump will trip your breaker. Overloading is a phenomenon that happens when more energy than the circuit can handle passes through the device. The breaker prevents an overload of amperage from harming your pump or anything connected to it. If your water pump is pulling more energy than it should, this can cause the breaker to trip. 

Solution: This is something you’ll want to leave to professionals. Electricity can be extremely dangerous to mess with if you aren’t professionally trained. We suggest you call your local electrician or reach out to us to see if it’s time for a new water pump.  

Rain and Lightning

Here in Gainesville, you know we get almost daily summer thunderstorms and plenty of rain. While these weather conditions are just considered a part of everyday life in Florida, they can occasionally cause problems for your water pump. 

A direct lightning strike can cause your water pump breaker to trip. Much like an overloaded circuit, this is due to the sudden surge of voltage all at once. Rain, on the other hand, can also cause a trip in your circuit breaker. This can be a sign of deeper problems such as deteriorating seals or even FLooding in your pump. 

Solution: If your circuit breaker trips immediately after a lightning strike, you should be able to switch back on fine with no issue. If it pops again, the lightning may have caused damage to your wires, and you’ll want to call in a professional to prevent hazards like an electrical fire. If you believe rain may be the culprit, reach out to us so we can inspect and repair any damaged seals or FLooding.

Leaks in Pump 

Sometimes, your water pump or its outer shell (called the water pump housing) can develop a leak. This can be caused by several different factors such as faulty sealant or using the incorrect coolant. If a leak has developed, it may get water on its wires or inside the pump itself, causing them to short-circuit and trip the breaker. 

Solution: Since it may be hard to determine where the leak is or if it’s safe for an untrained hand to repair, leaks are best left to a professional water pump repair service like Perry’s Pump Repair. One of the best ways to solve this is to keep it from happening in the first place by having a preventative maintenance plan. 

Wiring Issues 

If you’re finding your breaker is tripping as soon as you turn it back on, it may not be an issue with the pump itself but its wiring. The wires could be fried, short-circuited, or simply not connected securely to an electrical source. Occasionally, wire damage can be caused by rodents or other pests that may have chewed through them. 

Solution: Since this is dealing with electricity, you’ll want to have an electrician check your wiring and fix any issues they may see. 

Clogged Impeller

One of the key components of your submersible water pump is its impeller. The impeller uses the energy from the motor to actually pump your water. Through normal use and wear, the impeller may become clogged, causing your circuit breaker to trip. If you’re noticing a frequently tripping breaker and a grinding noise from your water pump, a clogged impeller is likely the issue. 

Solution: Often, this is an easy fix to do at home. Identify where your water pump’s impeller is and simply remove any debris from the area. 

Call in the Professionals at Perry’s Pump Repair for All Your Water Pump Maintenance Needs

A tripped water pump circuit breaker can be quite frustrating. Not only does it indicate a problem, but it keeps water from flowing into your home. While we may not be electricians, we are well pump experts, and we can tell you what needs to happen next. We’ll help you identify what the issue is, how to fix it, and treat it to last with our warranty guarantee if we can help. Call us today to see how we can help keep your water pump properly functioning and maintained.